Written Answers Friday 18 September 2009

Scottish Executive

2014 Commonwealth Games

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on whether the procurement model for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, whereby 10% of contract value has to be carried out by social enterprises, should be adopted for suppliers approved by utility companies for insulation work in owner-occupied properties.

Alex Neil: The procurement model for the 2014 Commonwealth Games is the responsibility of the Organising Committee (Glasgow 2014 Ltd) and Glasgow City Council.

  Glasgow City Council have incorporated a community benefit policy into its approach to procurement. This requires that 10% of the evaluation criteria of tenders will relate to community benefit, such as social enterprise development. It does not stipulate that 10% of the contract value will be carried out by social enterprises.

Agriculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many post-mortem examinations were carried out at the veterinary laboratory in Thurso in each year since 2000 and what the equivalent numbers were for each of the other veterinary laboratories in Scotland over the same period.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government commissions a programme of veterinary surveillance from the Scottish Agricultural College who report their activities on a quarterly basis. Our interest is to ensure that suitable geographical coverage is provided by the programme as a whole and not in the specific delivery of those services from individual investigation centres, therefore data on post-mortem numbers is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

Agriculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the abolition of EU export refunds in such areas as beef, poultry, eggs, pig meat and live animals.

Richard Lochhead: EU export subsidies are already subject to restrictions, as agreed in the Uruguay Round of international trade negotiations. Further modifications may be agreed in the context of the current WTO Doha Round. In the interim the Scottish Government supports the European Commission’s approach of applying export subsidies on a case-by-case basis and in compliance with WTO rules.

Agriculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the withdrawal of EU funding from compensation for withdrawals and buy-ins, as proposed in amendment 5258 to the EU agriculture budget.

Richard Lochhead: Withdrawals and buy-ins has received only limited use in Scotland. Should the proposed amendment be adopted, the Scottish Government anticipate that it would not have a significant impact in Scotland.

Agriculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the abolition of using EU funds to promote meat from farm animals, as proposed in amendment 5260 to the EU agriculture budget.

Richard Lochhead: The promotional and marketing activity of bodies such as Quality Meat Scotland, which is part funded by the EU, ensures iconic brands such as Scotch beef retain their premium status and contribute to providing a sustainable future for livestock production in Scotland. The Scottish Government would not therefore be in favour of the complete withdrawal of such funding by the EU.

Agriculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports an increase in funding at EU level for the creation of farming co-operatives, as proposed in amendment 5254 to the EU agriculture budget.

Richard Lochhead: The government is in favour of farmers organising themselves into co-operatives and other collaborative structures in order to strengthen their commercial position. Financial support for such collaboration can be offered in a number of ways, using both national and EU funding.

Agriculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports an increase in EU funding to support low-carbon, low-energy and locally marketed food production.

Richard Lochhead: EU funding for the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is fixed at €679 million for the programme period 2007-13. The Scottish Government has flexibility to deploy that funding across the SRDP, subject to EU rules on minimum spending levels on the various axes of the Programme. These are: 10% for Axis 1 improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sectors; 25% for Axis 2 improving the environment and the countryside; 10% for Axis 3 quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy, and, 5% for Axis 4 LEADER. Funding for the low-carbon, low-energy, locally marketed food production is delivered through the SRDP.

Agriculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to enhance farmers’ and consumers’ initiatives to establish low-carbon emission, low-energy consumption and locally marketed food chains.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government action to reduce emissions from farming is currently based around our Farming for a Better Climate initiative with support through the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). SRDP also provides assistance to support collaborative activity throughout food chains which assist the marketing of locally produced food.

Allotments

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many requests for allotments there have been in each local authority area in each year since 1999.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26839 on 8 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Animal Welfare

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings have taken place in the last two months between the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and farm industry representatives regarding electronic identification for sheep.

Richard Lochhead: My officials regularly meet with key industry stakeholders regarding electronic identification (EID) and they keep me informed of these discussions. Over that last few months I have discussed EID with various industry members, amongst other issues, at meetings and events I have attended. I have also met with the Scottish EID Working Group on the 10 September 2009 to discuss this issue.

Animal Welfare

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any information that shows deer welfare is compromised by stalking practices in Scotland.

Richard Lochhead: Proposals for reform of the deer legislation in Scotland were requested in June 2008 by the then Minister for Environment in response to concerns he had raised following reports of incidents where deer welfare might have been compromised. Deer Commission for Scotland receives reports of a wide range of deer welfare concerns across the country each season, including reports that deer have been wounded rather than killed outright and concerns that dependant calves have been orphaned.

  All the main organisations in the deer sector have recognised for a number of years that standards of deer management, including the welfare of deer, could be improved and have worked jointly to develop Best Practice Guides and to run training courses. These voluntary measures have helped to improve the knowledge and practice of those who have participated but have not involved all those who undertake deer management.

  Deer Commission for Scotland have developed proposals on competence, undertaking a number of studies and reports into the options. This development was assisted by two industry workshops on Welfare and Competence. Summaries of these workshops are available on the Deer Commission website at http://www.dcs.gov.uk/information/Section%20Content/Welfare%20competence.aspx.

  A scientific paper Survey of permanent wound tracts in the carcases of culled wild red deer in Scotland by Urquhart & McKendrick, published in the Veterinary Record in April 2003, also provides supporting evidence for possible welfare concerns.

Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees that under section 27 of the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 the decision on whether to grant compassionate release of a prisoner is a matter for Scottish Ministers acting jointly and severally.

Kenny MacAskill: Section 27 of the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 replicates the current provisions set out in section 3 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 which empowers the Scottish Ministers to release a prisoner on compassionate grounds. Under section 53(3) of the Scotland Act 1998, statutory functions of the Scottish Ministers shall be exercisable by any member of the Scottish Executive. In practice, the decision to release a prisoner on compassionate grounds is taken by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, as was the case with my predecessors.

Dairy Industry

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports a reduction in EU export refunds for the milk industry.

Richard Lochhead: EU export subsidies are subject to restrictions, as agreed in the Uruguay Round of international trade negotiations. Further modifications may be agreed in the context of the current WTO Doha Round. In the meantime the government supports the European Commission’s approach of applying export subsidies on a case-by-case basis and in compliance with WTO rules.

Dairy Industry

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it supports voluntary producer supply management in the milk industry.

Richard Lochhead: In a deregulated dairy industry producers are free to make their own business decisions, including the volume of milk produced.

Emergency Services

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the effect of the European working time directive is on (a) retained firefighters, (b) retained ambulance staff and (c) mountain rescue groups.

Jim Mather: In respect of each of these groups:

  (a) The European working time directive currently has no effect on retained fire-fighters within the fire and rescue services in Scotland.

  (b) The Scottish Ambulance Service is not currently operating any retained ambulance services and does not have any retained staff.

  (c) Mountain rescue workers are unpaid volunteers and are therefore not subject to the working time directive.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it plans to carry out on the development of carbon capture and storage.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government held a consultation on its draft thermal guidance, which included questions on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture Readiness (CCR), which closed earlier this year. Following the consultation, we have had on-going engagement with stakeholders on the development of CCS through workshops and meetings. We have decided to await the completion of the UK consultation process on clean coal before issuing our final thermal generation guidance. This will ensure that the regulatory framework in broad terms is similar across the UK as a whole, with the overall objective of encouraging CCS deployment and the objective of decarbonisation of the electricity sector by 2030. In the meantime, we have set out our position on CCR for all thermal stations above 300MW.

  This was set out in an answer to question S3W-24912 on 17 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it plans to carry out on the development of an emissions performance standard for power stations.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government have received a number of representations on an emissions performance standard in response to our consultation on thermal guidance. The development of an emissions performance standard is also considered in the UK consultation on clean coal and we are currently working with the UK Government closely on this issue. We will consider our position once the consultation process is fully complete.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the development of an emissions performance standard for power plants in Scotland.

Jim Mather: The question of an emissions performance standard was raised in response to our consultation on draft thermal guidance last year. It was also discussed in the recent UK consultation on clean coal. Responses to this consultation have been copied to the Scottish Government. We are working closely with the UK Government on this matter and will consider our position once this process is complete.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the UK Government proposals for carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration projects to demonstrate CCS on only 400 megawatt (gross) of capacity.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government aims to ensure that the regulatory framework in broad terms is similar across the UK as a whole, with the overall objective of encouraging CCS deployment and the objective of decarbonisation of the electricity sector by 2030. We will await the completion of the UK consultation process before issuing our final thermal generation guidance including what the expected position is on demonstration capacity.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it aims for new coal-fired power stations in Scotland to demonstrate carbon capture and storage capacity greater than that required in England and Wales.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government aims to encourage early carbon capture and storage deployment in Scotland with the objective of decarbonisation of the electricity sector by 2030.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it acceptable for new coal-fired power stations to have a defined carbon capture and storage capacity of no more than 400 megawatt (gross).

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum percentage of a new coal-fired power plant’s gross output of emissions it considers should be able to be covered initially by carbon capture and storage.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government will issue its final thermal guidance later this year following the completion of the UK consultation process. This thermal guidance will set out policy on the introduction of CCS levels to new and existing power plant, in terms of timing and capacity.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to match its thermal generation guidance with that introduced by the UK Government.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is awaiting the completion of the UK consultation process before finalising its own thermal generation guidance to ensure that the regulatory framework in broad terms is similar across the UK as a whole, with the overall objective of encouraging CCS deployment and the objective of decarbonisation of the electricity sector by 2030. The UK consultation invited respondents with a particular interest in Scottish Government policy to copy their responses to Scottish ministers.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage new coal-fired power stations to operate carbon capture and storage from the outset or to be able to meet an equivalent emissions performance standard by other means.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government’s thermal guidance will set out policy on the development of CCS technology for both new and existing power plant. This guidance will be issued following consideration of responses to our consultation on this subject last year and the completion of the UK consultation process.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24912 by Jim Mather on 17 June 2009, whether it intends to publish thermal generation guidance for Scotland based on a consultation applicable only to England and Wales.

Jim Mather: Thermal generation guidance for Scotland will be based on the revised section 36 guidance for the development of thermal power stations which was published in late 2008 for consultation. In addition to this consultation process, we have also had on-going engagement with Scottish based stakeholders on the development of carbon capture and storage through a series of seminars and meetings. The UK consultation invited respondents with a particular interest in Scottish Government policy to copy their responses to Scottish ministers. We have also been working closely with DECC on the current consultation and held a workshop where Scottish Government and others discussed the consultation with DECC officials. Scottish ministers are currently considering the consultation responses and their decisions will be further informed by responses to the UK consultation.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason proposals for a coal-fired power station at Hunterston were not included in the public consultation on the second National Planning Framework.

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it was decided to include Hunterston power station in the second National Planning Framework (NPF) and what consultation has been carried out on its inclusion.

Jim Mather: A new clean coal power station and a transhipment hub at Hunterston were among the projects proposed by stakeholders as additional national developments in representations on the NPF Discussion Draft. These projects were assessed against the criteria for national developments announced in a statement to Parliament by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in September 2007 and subsequently included amongst the candidate national developments which were subject to a Supplementary Strategic Environmental Assessment, including consultation, in autumn 2008. The NPF has also been the subject of detailed consideration by three committees of the Scottish Parliament and a debate in Parliament on 5 March 2009, ensuring a high level of scrutiny of the spatial strategy and national developments. The National Planning Framework Participation Statement available on the Scottish Government’s website details the full extent of consultation during the preparation of NPF2.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how its plans for the development of carbon capture and storage and emissions performance standards for power stations take into account the emission reduction targets in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Jim Mather: The climate change delivery plan sets out four transformational outcomes which the Scottish Government is working towards. The first of these is a largely de-carbonised electricity generation sector by 2030, primarily using renewable sources for electricity generation with other electricity generation from fossil fuelled plants utilising carbon capture and storage. The development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one of our ten energy pledges and CCS and other low carbon technologies will play a vital role in meeting that challenge.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what definition it uses of a carbon capture-ready power station.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government considers that a carbon capture ready power station will demonstrate consideration of the following criteria:

  demonstrate that there is sufficient space on or near the site to accommodate carbon capture equipment in the future;

  undertake an assessment into the technical and economic feasibility of retrofitting carbon capture technology;

  propose a suitable area of deep geological storage offshore for the storage of captured CO2;

  undertake an assessment into the technical and economic feasibility of transporting the captured CO2 to their proposed storage area, and

  if necessary, apply for and obtain Hazardous Substance Consent (HSC).

  This position applies to all new gas, oil, biomass, waste-to-energy and also coal power station applications on or above 300MW. This approach is in line with that taken by the UK Government and reflects the wish for a broadly similar regulatory framework across the UK.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it premature to consider a planning application for a development, for the basis of which it has not formulated policy.

Jim Mather: Under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, the building of any new thermal power station in excess of 50 megawatts in generating capacity would require consent from Scottish ministers. The Scottish Government published draft thermal guidance in late 2008 for consultation. We await the completion of the UK Government consultation, before publishing our final thermal guidance in Scotland.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it good practice to consider a planning application for a coal-fired power station before it has produced its thermal generation guidance.

Jim Mather: Under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, Scottish ministers are obliged to accept and consider all thermal power station applications in excess of 50 megawatts of generating capacity. Each application is subject to statutory consultation with the determination taking into account all material issues, including the thermal guidance applicable at the time the decision is made.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to produce its thermal generation guidance.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government will issue its final thermal guidance later this year following consideration of responses to our own consultation and the subsequent UK consultation which closed on 9 September 2009.

Energy

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, given that it has yet to produce its thermal generation guidance, on what basis it will consider the planning application for the Hunterston power plant.

Jim Mather: All thermal power station applications over 50 megawatts in generating capacity will be considered by Scottish ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. Following a request from Ayrshire Power Limited, Scottish Ministers provided a scoping opinion on 20 March 2009 on the Hunterston project, which included a wide range of consultee advice on the outline design. The developer is currently working in partnership with stakeholders to develop an application which addresses the relevant planning, community and legislative issues, and we have recommended to the developer that they take into account in any application our draft guidance and the answer to question S3W- 24912 on 17 June 2009.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Environment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives are being given to encourage the planting of bog myrtle.

Richard Lochhead: Funding for farm businesses to diversify into alternative forms of agricultural production is available through the Scotland Rural Development Programme under Rural Priorities.

  Rural Priorities is a competitive funding mechanism whereby the best quality proposals are approved, which will involve farmers undertaking a strategic analysis of their business including an examination of the prospects offered by a diversification opportunity.

  Grants of up to 50% are available, plus a 10% premium for young farmers, for costs associated with the provision or upgrading of buildings, new machinery, equipment and information technology.

Environment

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives are being given to growers of bog myrtle during the three years from planting to maturing of the crop.

Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26648 on 18 September, on DATE, which states that financial support is available under the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

  Support offered under the SRDP has to comply with the definitions and eligibility criteria set out in the relevant European legislation. There is no specific funding available to assist with the period before any return on crops can be realised, including bog myrtle. However, funding is available under Rural Priorities for farm businesses to diversify into alternative forms of agricultural production, such as bog myrtle.

Environment

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that funding for energy crops should be provided only when a positive energy and environmental balance can be demonstrated.

Richard Lochhead: The Scotland Rural Development Programme under Rural Priorities offers farm businesses funding to diversify into alternative forms of agricultural production including energy crops, and a specific option to plant short rotation coppice crops for similar purpose.

  This is to help them develop more sustainable businesses by responding to changing market demands and taking advantage of new market opportunities.

  To attract support, a farmer has to show that the project will contribute towards agreed regional priorities established to aid delivery of key strategic outcomes, including adaptation to mitigate climate change and protection of biodiversity.

Environment

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports an increase in EU funding for plant and animal genetic resources.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government would welcome an increase in EU funding for plant and animal genetic resources in areas where this reflects our current policies on plant and animal improvement.

Environment

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scotland Rural Development Programme includes measures for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in agriculture.

Richard Lochhead: There are a range of measures to support conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in agriculture in a number of Scotland Rural Development Programme schemes, including Rural Priorities and Land Managers’ Options. More information is available on the SRDP website at www.scotland.gov.uk/SRDP .

Environment

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the establishment of seed conservation programmes.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government already supports a programme to protect and conserve seed of traditional Scottish varieties and other significant seed collections.

Environment

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports a requirement on member states to report to the European Union on what changes they have implemented to combat climate change and conserve biodiversity and progress on implementation of the new challenges in rural development measures, including the milk sector and related crop production.

Richard Lochhead: As part of implementing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Health Check, the Scottish Government was required to submit changes to the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) to the European Commission by 15 July 2009 to show how it was meeting the new challenges set by the European Commission. The Scottish Government has submitted the changes to the SRDP required following consultation with stakeholders on the SRDP’s Programme Monitoring Committee. The European Commission is currently considering those proposals and we expect to have approval from Brussels by the end of 2009. In addition, the Scottish Government is required to report annually to the European Commission on progress towards meeting the commission’s new challenges and is in the processes of setting up systems in order to do so.

Environment

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that milk production should be based on imported animal feed or grass-fed production.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government does not promote one particular feeding regime over another. The method by which dairy producers feed their animals is a matter for the farmer to determine.

External Relations

Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase cultural and trade links with the Middle East.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is working hard to develop and promote Scottish cultural and trade links across the globe because we know this is a key part of our efforts to increase sustainable economic growth. In the Middle East, Scotland’s focus is on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) which include: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.

  SDI established an office in the Middle East based in the British Embassy in Dubai in October 2008. SDI is currently in the process of recruiting a full time Manager for this office. This is one of 23 SDI offices around the world.

  Through this, we aim to increase trade and investment in the key sectors of energy, tourism, education and financial and professional services.

  The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has provided funding for several cultural projects in the Middle East over the past five years, most recently providing Professional Development Grants to two individuals to undertake specific project activity in Pakistan and Israel. The SAC Visual Arts department is also taking a group of curators to Istanbul in October 2009 for the Biennial.

External Relations

Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that a visit by Scottish ministers to Qatar to discuss investment and trade is still appropriate and, if so, when it plans to proceed with the visit.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government remains focussed on ensuring Scotland makes a strong recovery from the current recession with sustainable economic growth as our long-term goal. This is our prime consideration in deciding where and when ministers should travel. While there are no dates in the diary at this point, a visit to Qatar remains under active consideration.

External Relations

Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what business organisations with links to the Qatar Government have met Scottish ministers and Scottish Development International since 2007.

Jim Mather: The First Minister and the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism have met with the Qatar Investment Authority.

  Scottish Development International officials have also met with the Qatar Investment Authority and, in addition, have met with Qatar Foundation; Qatar Science and Technology Park; Qatari Diar and Qatar ICT.

First Minister

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the occasions on which the First Minister travelled outwith Scotland on official business since May 2007, showing the (a) total cost, (b) breakdown of expenditure and (c) purpose of each visit.

John Swinney: The information requested is set out in the following table. Travel marked * was at zero cost to the Scottish Government. Travel to London which did not include government business has not been listed.

  

 Date of Visit
 Location
 Purpose of Visit
Cost of Flights
Cost of Trains
Cost of Hotels
Total Cost


 18-19 June 2007
 Belfast
 The First Minister travelled to Belfast to meet with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and to deliver a speech to Members of the Legislative Assembly. 
£195.00
 n/a
£292.15
£487.15


 11-12 July 2007
 Brussels
 The First Minister travelled to Brussels where he held a reception for key European contacts and attended a Passchendaele memorial service with Her Majesty The Queen
£568.80
 n/a
£154.26
£723.06


 15-16 July 2007
 Belfast
 The First Minister travelled to Belfast to attend the British Irish Council
£217.06
 n/a
£110.00
£327.06


 24-26 July 2007
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to be sworn in to the Privy Council. 
*
 n/a
£619.66
£619.66


 10-13 October 2007
 USA & Canada
 The First Minister travelled to New York, via London to promote Scotland as an attractive location for investment.
£3,099.80
 n/a
£1,285.75
£4,385.55


 5-12 November 2007
 Sri Lanka
 The First Minister travelled to Sri Lanka for the decision on the bid by Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
£1,998.50
 n/a
£1,914.00
£3,912.50


 18-20 November 2007
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to attend a reception for Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Wedding.
£321.80
 n/a
£328.76
£650.56


 26-27 November 2007
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to undertake an interview with Andrew Neil, Royal United Services Institute and attend the Political Studies Association Awards.
£345.20
 n/a
£146.88
£492.08


 13-14 February 2008
 Dublin
 The First Minister travelled to Dublin to attend the British Irish Council.
£95.70
 n/a
£87.02
£182.72


 26-27 February 2008
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to deliver a presentation to an International Press Briefing.
 *
 n/a
£158.63
£158.63


 5-6 March 2008
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to meet with Peter Ricketts, Permanent Secretary, Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
 *
 n/a
£229.13
£229.13


 13-14 March 2008
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to appear on BBC Question Time.
£426.80
 n/a
£229.13
£655.93


 30 March - 6 April 2008
 USA
 The First Minister travelled to the USA where he undertook a series of engagements as part of Scotland Week.
£3,625.53
 n/a
£931.80
£4,557.33


 23 April 2008
 Brussels
 The First Minister travelled to Brussels to attend the European Seafood Expo.
£920.60
 n/a
£118.66
£1,039.26


 28-29 April 2008
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to meet the Russian Ambassador and Prime Minister.
 *
 n/a
£229.13
£229.13


 14 May 2008
 Manchester
 The First Minister travelled to Manchester to attend the UEFA Cup Final.
£115.90
 n/a
 n/a
£115.90


 4 June 2008
 Belfast
 The First Minister travelled to Belfast to open the Stena Line terminal.
£33.46
 n/a
 n/a
£33.46


 11 June 2008
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to meet John Hutton.
 *
 n/a
 n/a
£0


 25 June 2008
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to attend the Joint Ministerial Council
£325.30
 n/a
 n/a
£325.30


 2-3 July 2008
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to meet with Sir Michael Lyons.
 *
 n/a
£166.75
£166.75


 30 September-1 October 2008
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to meet the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Russian Ambassador.
£251.10
 n/a
£214.20
£465.30


 23-24 October 2008
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to appear on BBC Question Time (recorded in Peterborough)
£466.80
 n/a
£280.83
£747.63


 28 October 2008
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to deliver a presentation to Lloyds TSB.
£454.60
 n/a
 n/a
£454.60


 13-15 December 2008
 Barcelona
 The First Minister travelled to Barcelona to establish links with Catalonia and attend the Commonwealth Games Legacy Meeting.
£766.31
 n/a
£616.74
£1,383.05


 19-20 February 2009
 Cardiff
 The First Minister travelled to Cardiff to attend the British Irish Council Summit.
£182.67
 n/a
£158.60
£341.27


 22-24 February 2009
 USA
 The First Minister travelled to the USA to meet with Secretary of State Clinton and deliver key note speeches to a Burns Symposium and to Georgetown University. 
£5,049.60
 n/a
£1,398.33
£6447.93


 25 February 2009
 London
 The First Minister travelled via London on his return from the USA to meet the Prime Minister and First Ministers of devolved administrations to discuss devolution issues.
£226.25
 n/a
£147.25
£373.50


 4-12 April 2009
 China
 The First Minister travelled to China to build on the existing strong links between Scotland and China.
£1,992.44
 n/a
£2,272.92
£4,265.36


 26-29 April 2009
 London
 The First Minister travelled to London to meet with the Prime Minister.
*
 n/a
£496.58
£496.58

First Minister

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25710 by John Swinney on 4 August 2009, who arranged any meeting involving the First Minister, a minister or a substitute with the chief executive of Diageo that took place between 2 and 9 July 2009.

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25711 by John Swinney on 4 August 2009, whether any of its officials arranged a meeting held between 2 and 9 July 2009 with the chief executive of Diageo at which the First Minister or a minister was not present and, if so, who attended.

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-25712 by John Swinney on 4 August 2009, whether any of its officials were present at any meeting held between 2 and 9 July 2009 with the chief executive of Diageo at which the First Minister or a minister was not in attendance and, if so, who attended.

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the First Minister declined an invitation to meet with the chief executive of Diageo between 2 and 9 July 2009 and, if so, what the reasons were for this.

John Swinney: The First Minister asked for a meeting with Paul Walsh when he met with Diageo on Thursday 2 July, and when he spoke to Mr Walsh on the telephone later the same day. Mr Walsh agreed to meet the First Minister on his return from China.

Forth Crossing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons opportunities resulting from the replacement Forth bridge to maximise public transport provision such as park-and-ride are to be developed in parallel with the scheme rather than being legislated for in the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing Bill.

Stewart Stevenson: There is no reason to depart from normal consent procedures to take forward measures complementary to the Forth Replacement Crossing contained within the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR).

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-26199 and S3W-26205 by Jim Mather on 18 August 2009 and the subsequent reply dated 31 August 2009 from the Acting Chief Executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise that indicates that no comparison can be made of funding support provided before and after changes to support programmes, how public expenditure in these areas is to be accountable to the Parliament.

Jim Mather: As explained in my answers to questions S3W-26199 and S3W-26205, the support programme cited by the member i.e. the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Business Improvement Tools Programme was not and is not a business support programme provided by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. This was further confirmed by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Acting Chief Executive in his correspondence with the member.

  There are therefore no previous or current identifiable funding streams with which to make the comparisons requested by the member.

  All Highlands and Islands Enterprise expenditure is subject to audit by Audit Scotland. Following audit, Highlands and Islands Enterprise publish their annual report and accounts for public scrutiny.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Livestock

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings have taken place in the last two months between the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and European Union officials regarding electronic identification for sheep.

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the EU officials with whom the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment has discussed electronic identification for sheep in the last two months and detail any action taken as a result of each discussion.

Richard Lochhead: My officials are in regular contact with European Union officials regarding sheep EID and keep me fully informed of these discussions. I requested a meeting in July with Commissioner Vassiliou prior to the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) but she was unavailable.

Livestock

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment last met European Union officials to discuss electronic identification for sheep and what action was taken as a result.

Richard Lochhead: I met with Commissioner Vassiliou in March this year and the Director of Animal Health, Bernard Van Goethem, in June. I was informed that the principle of the Regulation would not be overturned. However I received assurances that the Commission were well informed of our issues and they would take account of these in development of the legislation, which they have duly done. I requested a further meeting in July with Commissioner Vassiliou, but due to other commitments it was not possible to secure a meeting with her.

Livestock

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings have taken place in the last two months between the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and EU member state representatives regarding electronic identification for sheep.

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list EU member state representatives with whom the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment has discussed electronic identification for sheep in the last two months and detail any action taken as a result of each discussion.

Richard Lochhead: Officials were in contact with other Member States in the lead up to the vote taken at the Standing Committee of Food Chain and Animal Health on 14 July. Direct interaction by myself and officials have been successful in obtaining concessions on the Regulations at this time. Following the UK’s agreement not to pursue any further concessions, further meeting have not been secured. Since then I have had no meetings with EU member state representatives.

Livestock

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment last met EU member state representatives to discuss electronic identification for sheep and what action was taken as a result of that meeting.

Richard Lochhead: I met with Irish and Hungarian Ministers in the margins of the EU Agriculture Council in March 2009 to discuss electronic identification (EID) of sheep. I urged them to support the Scottish position on sheep EID.

Livestock

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the creation of a European farm price and margin observatory.

Richard Lochhead: The uniform monitoring of prices across Europe could be a useful tool to help analyse how food affordability differs across countries and how these trends evolve through time. Any monitoring of prices, price transmission and contractual arrangements should, however, be considered against the cost of collecting and processing such data. Careful consideration would need to be given to the implementation arrangements in order to avoid unnecessary burdens on industry.

Livestock

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the withdrawal of the beef special premium scheme for bulls that are used in lethal bull fighting.

Richard Lochhead: Entitlement to beef special premium payments for stock destined for bull fighting is a matter for the European Commission and those member states where such practices are permitted.

Mental Health

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluations it has made of the effectiveness of mental health programmes for children of primary school age.

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluations it has made of the effectiveness of in-school mental health programmes for children of primary school age.

Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government does not routinely evaluate programmes which are used in schools as this is a matter for education authorities and schools themselves.

  However, the Scottish Government has supported the development of an approach to build emotional resilience in schools in conjunction with Falkirk Council. This approach was evaluated by the Scottish Development Centre for mental health. The Scottish Government has also supported the development of the FRIENDS Programme in conjunction with Stirling Council which seeks to address the problems of anxiety, depression and low self-esteem in school settings. This approach has been evaluated by Stirling Council Educational Psychology Service.

  The reports of these evaluations are available from:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Schools/HLivi/foodnutrition.

  In addition, HMIE have recently published an evaluation of Nurture Groups within primary schools. The report Developing successful learners in nurturing schools: the impact of nurture groups in primary schools is available from http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/publication/ingps.pdf. The Nurture Groups approach is supported in Scottish local authorities and schools by the Scottish Government’s Positive Behaviour Team.

Mental Health

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to encourage the use of in-school mental health programmes for children of primary school age where there is none.

Adam Ingram: The decision on which programmes a school should follow is a decision for the school and local authority in light of local circumstances and priorities.

  However, Improving the mental health and wellbeing for children and young people is a priority for the Scottish Government and we are working closely with local authorities, NHS boards and other partners to deliver the specific policies, objectives and initiatives set for children and young people’s mental health.

  To this end, as part of Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland: Policy and Action Plan 2009-11, we are engaged in a wide ranging programme of work, with partner agencies, to drive change and improvement across all aspects of care, services and support, including support for children and young people in schools.

Ministerial Meetings

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times its officials have held meetings with government ministers from other countries since May 2007, broken down by (a) country and (b) date of meeting and showing a summary of the topics of the discussions.

Michael Russell: Scottish Government officials do not routinely hold meetings with government ministers from other countries and no central record of this information is held. However, the table following lists those meetings for which the Scottish Government’s International Division have been passed details.

  

 Date
 Directorates
 Country
 Foreign Minister
 Topic Discussed


 Various
 Justice and Communities
 Libya
 Minister for European Affairs 
 Full list of the meetings and their content can be found on http://www.scotland.gov.uk/lockerbie


 24 July 2007
 Economy
 Malawi
 Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation
review meeting economic situationprogramme of co-operationeconomic situation


 1 June 2008
 Permanent Secretary
 Kosovo
 Kosovan Minister for Local Government
 Kosovan government


 1 August 2008
 Economy
 Malawi
 Minister of Finance
 review meeting of programme of co-operation


 28 August 2008
 Environment
 Canada
 Canadian Fisheries Minister
governance of aquaculture in Scotlandeconomic impact of aquaculture in rural Scotlandbest management practices in Scottish aquaculture and their applicability in Canada, and vice versaimportance of eco-certification and market access for aquaculture productsco-operation in aquaculture research between Scotland and Canadaindustry/wildfish/environment non-government organisation interactioncontainment


 29 September 2008
 Environment
 Norway
 Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs
 international co-operation on aquaculture


 22 January 2009
 Justice and Communities
 Libya
Minister for European Affairs/Minister for Security
 I note of the content can be found on http://www.scotland.gov.uk/lockerbie


 28 June 2009
 Economy
 Malawi
 Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation
 review meeting of programme of co-operation


 19 August 2009
 Environment
 Canada
 Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
overview of Scottish and Canadian industriesjoint interest in environmental issues relating to aquacultureidentification of possible collaborative projects in the areas of science, management, data sharing and regulationcertification and sustainability reporting, including relationships with environmental non-government organisations.

Parliamentary Questions

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason question S3W-22429, lodged on 30 March 2009, has not yet been given a substantive answer.

Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22429, on 17 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Poverty

Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which (a) data zones and (b) council wards in the South Lanarkshire local authority area are in the (i) 15% and (ii) 5% most deprived such areas in Scotland.

John Swinney: A list of deprived data zones is available on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/SIMD .

  Of South Lanarkshire’s 398 data zones: 13 are in Scotland’s 5% most deprived areas and 56 are in Scotland’s 15% most deprived areas using SIMD 2006. These are listed in table 1. Maps of the deprived areas by local authority can be found at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/SIMD/Maps.

  The SIMD is only calculated at data zone level, it does not rank wards in terms of levels of deprivation. However, it is possible to look at the number of data zones within each ward in the 5% and 15% most deprived areas. This is shown in table 2.

  Note: SIMD 2009 is due to be published on 29 October 2009 in which Scotland’s 5% and 15% most deprived areas could change.

  Table 1: South Lanarkshire Data Zones in the 5% and 15% Most Deprived Areas (SIMD 2006)

  

 Datazone
 In the 5% most deprived?
 In the 15% most deprived?
 
 Datazone
 In the 5% most deprived?
 In the 15% most deprived?


 S01005874
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005891
 No
 Yes


 S01005913
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005892
 No
 Yes


 S01005951
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005917
 No
 Yes


 S01005959
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005928
 No
 Yes


 S01005965
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005932
 No
 Yes


 S01005966
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005939
 No
 Yes


 S01005990
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005947
 No
 Yes


 S01005992
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005954
 No
 Yes


 S01005995
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005957
 No
 Yes


 S01005998
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005961
 No
 Yes


 S01006040
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005964
 No
 Yes


 S01006061
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005967
 No
 Yes


 S01006063
 Yes
 Yes
 S01005975
 No
 Yes


 S01005675
 No
 Yes
 S01005982
 No
 Yes


 S01005683
 No
 Yes
 S01005987
 No
 Yes


 S01005748
 No
 Yes
 S01005988
 No
 Yes


 S01005752
 No
 Yes
 S01006000
 No
 Yes


 S01005755
 No
 Yes
 S01006007
 No
 Yes


 S01005757
 No
 Yes
 S01006008
 No
 Yes


 S01005759
 No
 Yes
 S01006012
 No
 Yes


 S01005762
 No
 Yes
 S01006022
 No
 Yes


 S01005764
 No
 Yes
 S01006024
 No
 Yes


 S01005814
 No
 Yes
 S01006034
 No
 Yes


 S01005848
 No
 Yes
 S01006041
 No
 Yes


 S01005855
 No
 Yes
 S01006058
 No
 Yes


 S01005865
 No
 Yes
 S01006062
 No
 Yes


 S01005869
 No
 Yes
 S01006064
 No
 Yes


 S01005880
 No
 Yes
 S01006065
 No
 Yes



  Table 2: South Lanarkshire Electoral Wards Containing Data Zones in the 5% and 15% Most Deprived Areas (SIMD 2006)

  

 Electorial Wards (2001)
 Number of Datazones in the 5% most Deprived?
 Number of Datazones in the 15% most Deprived?
 Total Number of Datazones


 Burgh Ward
 1
 2
 6


 Burnbank/Blantyre Ward
 2
 5
 8


 Cadzow Ward
 
 1
 6


 Cairns Ward
 
 1
 7


 Cambuslang Central Ward
 
 2
 4


 Cathkin/Springhall Ward
 1
 4
 8


 Coatshill/Low Blantyre Ward
 
 1
 5


 Douglas Ward
 
 1
 5


 Fernhill Ward
 1
 3
 5


 Forth Ward
 
 1
 6


 Hallside Ward
 1
 2
 8


 Hamilton Centre North Ward
 
 1
 5


 High Blantyre Ward
 1
 2
 7


 Hillhouse Ward
 1
 3
 5


 Kirkhill/Whitlawburn Ward
 2
 2
 5


 Larkhall East Ward
 
 3
 7


 Larkhall South Ward
 
 3
 5


 Larkhall West Ward
 
 1
 6


 Lesmahagow Ward
 
 1
 6


 Low Waters Ward
 1
 3
 5


 Rutherglen West Ward
 1
 4
 6


 Silvertonhill Ward
 
 1
 6


 Spittal/Blairbeth Ward
 
 2
 5


 Udston Ward
 
 3
 4


 Whitehill Ward
 1
 2
 5


 Woodhead/Meikle Earnock Ward
 
 2
 7

Procurement

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the cost savings achieved by eProcurement Scotland in each year since 2002.

John Swinney: The following table shows the estimated savings achieved by eProcurement Scotland (ePS) each year since 2002. The transaction cost (costs of processing purchase orders and invoices) savings figures are conservative estimates based on work undertaken with ePS users to identify typical costs per transaction before and after implementation of the ePS service. The ePS service also supports delivery of savings through use of electronic auctions and tendering ("e-sourcing") and these are also shown in the following table.

  

 Year
 Transaction Cost Savings
 eSourcing Savings


 2002-03
£27,000
£0


 2003-04
£229,000
£300,000


 2004-05
£846,000
£3,953,000


 2005-06
£2,196,000
£807,000


 2006-07
£5,640,000
£2,045,000


 2007-08
£7,895,000
£7,300,000


 2008-09
£10,095,000
£0


 2009-10
£2,764,000
£0


 Totals
£29,691,000
£14,405,000

Procurement

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to modify public procurement practices so that smaller contractors in remote areas secure a fair proportion of available business.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government has taken a number of steps to ensure that its procurement processes provide small businesses with a fair opportunity to bid for public contracts. These include the introduction of the Suppliers Charter, the adoption of Six Simple Steps and the implementation of the web-based advertising portal, Public Contracts Scotland.

  We are continuing to work with business representative bodies and others to assess what additional developments might be introduced to improve the economic impact of procurement practices, including opportunities for smaller firms, across all parts of Scotland.

Procurement

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with utility companies about access by social enterprises to lists of approved suppliers for insulation work in owner-occupied properties.

Alex Neil: As part of the implementation of the Energy Assistance Package (EAP) the Scottish Government has discussed with the utility companies how they are delivering their Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) programmes in Scotland, including their use of approved suppliers. To date the utilities have only agreed to accept referrals from the EAP, under their normal terms and conditions and supplier arrangements.

Procurement

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it believes that social enterprises ought to be included on lists of approved suppliers for insulation work in owner-occupied properties.

Alex Neil: The Scottish Government believes that all work should be tendered in a fair and transparent way that complies with EU procurement guidance and supports social enterprises to be able to compete for work across a range of areas including insulation work.

Procurement

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what grounds local authorities have for refusing to approve direct payments where applicants’ existing services are being retendered, the individuals have the capacity to consent and sufficient resources are available for such direct payments.

Shona Robison: The grounds for local authorities refusing direct payments should not depend on the reason for application, such as retendering exercises, but should be based on the criteria set out in existing legislation.

Procurement

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council in 2009 to identify any particular local obstacles preventing a more radical increase in the uptake of self-directed support, including consideration of the support mechanisms available to those accessing self-directed support.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government invited all local authorities separately to discuss local obstacles to self-directed support, gather input into a new strategy for increasing uptake and contribute to a review of current legislation. The Scottish Government has already met with Edinburgh City Council to discuss this.

Procurement

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council concerning the council’s decision to suspend all approvals of pending direct payments for an indefinite period.

Shona Robison: I understand that Edinburgh City Council has not suspended all approvals for an indefinite period. I believe the council is taking a sensible approach that ensures that their self-directed support clients are effectively supported. It is important that they ensure that resources are released from elsewhere to meet demand in a sustainable way. However, I encourage Edinburgh City Council to resolve this as quickly and effectively as possible.

Procurement

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it plans to have with the City of Edinburgh Council concerning the council’s decision to suspend all approvals of pending direct payments for an indefinite period.

Shona Robison: The council has no plans to suspend all approvals for an indefinite period. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor this situation.

Scottish Futures Trust

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs associated with advertising Scottish Futures Trust posts are.

John Swinney: I have asked Barry White, Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust to respond. His response is as follows:

  The recruitment adverts for seven senior posts were published in the Scotsman, Herald, Times, Scotland on Sunday, Sunday Herald and Sunday Times newspapers at a cost of £16,079.41. The creation of a recruitment website and the placement of the adverts in six specialist multi-point online recruitment systems cost a further £10,000."

Scottish Futures Trust

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive (a) which consultants are currently being used by the Scottish Futures Trust, (b) for what purpose each is contacted and (c) the duration of each contract.

John Swinney: I have asked Barry White, Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Scottish Futures Trust is currently employing the consultants detailed in the following table:

  

 Consultant
 Purpose
 Duration


 Hays Executive Recruitment
 To assist in the recruitment of seven senior Scottish Futures Trust staff.
 For the duration of the recruitment process.


 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 To provide financial advisory services to the hub programme.
 One year contract with an option to extend for a further year.


 Mott MacDonald
 To provide technical advisory services to the hub programme.
 One year contract with an option to extend for a further year.


 Pinsent Masons
 To provide legal advice to the hub programme.
 One year contract with an option to extend for a further year.


 Partnerships UK
 To provide advice on the rescue refinancing of Aberdeen City Schools project; to carry out key stage reviews on Moray Schools and Orkney Hybrid projects, and provide workshop on Non Profit Distribution schemes.
 All work to be concluded by end of August 2009.


 Shepherd and Wedderburn
 To review contract derogations in relation to Moray Schools and Tayside Mental Health project.
 To financial close of final project.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive to define "The Purpose" as referred to in the Scottish Government Senior Management Team meeting minutes of 27 April 2009 reportedly leaked to Scotland on Sunday and published on 6 September 2009.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not comment on leaked documents. The Purpose of the government is clearly set out in the Government Economic Strategy: to focus the government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the full or regular attendance is at meetings of its senior management team.

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive who the members are of its senior management team, also providing (a) job title, (b) length of service and (c) time in current post with the Scottish Executive.

John Swinney: The Permanent Secretary brings together the top two tiers of his staff at regular senior management meetings. These staff are the Directors General and Directors from across the Scottish Government. He also invites the Chief Executives of Executive Agencies, within the Scottish Government, and, on some occasions, non-Executive Directors with roles in the core Scottish Government are also included. The numbers invited total around 70 people. Not everyone is able to attend every meeting.

  The names and responsibilities of all Directors General, Directors and Chief Executives are published regularly in the Scottish Government’s Who’s Who guide, which is available on the Scottish Government website at www.scotland.gov.uk . We do not disclose personal information such as length of service.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers have attended each of its senior management team meetings for all or previous meetings.

John Swinney: No current ministers have attended any of the meetings. In September 2007 Ms Linda Fabiani MSP attended for one item of a meeting to speak to senior staff about ministers’ experience of the first months in office. This was used to inform a senior staff discussion about standards of service to ministers.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive who (a) is responsible for drawing up the agenda and (b) produces notes or minutes of its senior management team meetings.

John Swinney: The agenda for the meetings is agreed by a group of senior managers in the Scottish Government as are the notes.

Student Finance

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial advice is offered to school pupils wishing to apply for a university place.

Keith Brown: Every year the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) writes to all schools with copies of their CD-ROM and DVD-ROM/Video. The letter informs them that SAAS are available to visit the school and speak to the students and parents. The CD-ROM and DVD-ROM/Video contains information about the financial support available for higher education and how and when to apply. There is also a copy of SAAS video and a financial presentation with audio, which the schools can show their students. Last year the SAAS participated at 212 events, including college and university open days, career conventions, school talks and parents’ evening at schools.

Vaccinations

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what scientific medical research, at national and global level, has been carried out in relation to the safety of the influenza A(H1N1) vaccine and what the potential side effects or health risks of the vaccine are, particularly for young children.

Nicola Sturgeon: The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is responsible for licensing of influenza A(H1N1) vaccines in the European Union. Four ‘mock-up’ vaccines have already been approved in the EU as part of pre-pandemic preparedness work, based on data generated with a virus strain which is similar to A(H1N1). These vaccines were developed in the knowledge that the virus would be changed in the event of a declared pandemic to include the pandemic virus strain. Decades of experience with seasonal influenza vaccines indicate that insertion of a new strain in a vaccine, as will apply in this case, should not substantially affect the safety of the vaccine or level of protection offered.

  In relation to the specific A(H1N1) vaccines being produced, as part of the licensing process manufacturers are providing information to the EMEA on results from clinical trials in adults and children. The vaccine manufacturers are carrying out their own clinical trials in a limited number of subjects and these are starting to produce preliminary data that is being provided to the EMEA. Subject to satisfactory review of the data by the EMEA licences for the vaccines could be granted in October.

  In addition to research being carried out by vaccine manufacturers as part of the licensing process, fourteen swine flu research projects have been fast tracked by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on behalf of the Department of Health. Three of these research projects, which are expected to report by the end of the year, relate to influenza A(H1N1) vaccines. Further information is available at http://www.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/default.aspx.

Warm Deal

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what total amount of financial resource has been made available to each local authority for draught proofing and insulation work for domestic premises in each of the last four financial years.

Alex Neil: The following table shows the resources made available to local authorities for insulation work and draught proofing, to their own properties, over the period requested, under the warm deal programme and the Social Sector Stage 3 of the Energy Assistance Package.

  

 Local Authority
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09
 2009-10


 Aberdeenshire
£196,800
 179,200
£68,800
£128,000


 Aberdeen City
£50,000
£67,200
 Nil
 Nil


 Angus
 Nil
 Nil
£32,000
£32,000


 Clackmannanshire
£72,000
£56,000
£35,200
£32,000


 CNES*
£19,200
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil


 Dundee
£32,000
£32,000
£32,000
£32,000


 Easy Ayrshire
£142,800
£59,200
£44,800
£44,800


 East Dunbartonshire
£64,000
£70,400
£41,600
£32,000


 East Lothian
£244,800
£192,000
£113,600
£92,800


 East Renfrewshire
£32,000
 Nil
 Nil
£32,000


 Edinburgh
£300,800
£284,800
£225,600
£172,800


 Falkirk 
£241,000
£266,560
£169,600
£158,400


 Fife
£36,800
£35,200
£60,800
£67,200


 Highland
£109,200
£44,800
£32,000
£44,800


 Inverclyde
£178,800
£80,000
 Nil
 Nil


 Midlothian
£288,000
£424,000
£203,200
£116,800


 Moray
£14,400
 Nil
£16,000
£32,000


 North Ayrshire
£211,200
£198,420
£94,400
£160,000


 North Lanarkshire
£102,400
£80,000
£72,000
£120,000


 Orkney Islands
£32,000
£48,000
£16,000
£16,000


 Renfrewshire
 Nil
 Nil
 Nil
£32,000


 Perth and Kinross
£160,000
£172,800
£62,400
£57,600


 Shetland
£41,600
£36,800
£24,000
£16,000


 South Ayrshire
£140,800.00
£204,800
£54,400
£112,000


 South Lanarkshire
£710,800
£699,200
£310,400
£169,600


 Stirling
£60,800
£56,000
£126,400
£126,400


 West Dunbartonshire
£232,000
£209,600
£92,800
£112,000


 West Lothian
£106,000
£35,200
£72,000
£60,800


 Total
£3,820,200
£3,532,180
£2,000,000
£2,000,000



  Note: *CNES – Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles).

Waste Management

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the recycling rates for (a) domestic and (b) municipal waste were in each local authority area in each of the last five years, also showing the year-on-year increase and national average compared with the national target.

Richard Lochhead: In response to your question please find following two tables detailing:

  The total recycling and composting rates for household waste for the last five years;

  The total recycling and composting rates for municipal waste for the last five years with national targets.

  Please note that the data has been provided in financial years as this is how the data is reported under the Landfill Allowance Scheme (LAS). Also please note that the data for 2008-09 is preliminary data as the LAS accounts for this year will not be frozen until the 30 of September. Therefore, the data could be changed until that date. Recycling and composting information is regularly updated and can be found on the SEPA website at:

  http://www.sepa.org.uk/waste/waste_data/waste_data_reports/landfill_allowance.aspx.

  Table 1 – Household Waste - Total Recycling and Composting Rates (%)

  

 Local Authority
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Aberdeen
 16.1
 19.7
 21.9
 22.6
 22.6


 Aberdeenshire
 10.3
 16.3
 23.0
 31.2
 32.3


 Angus 
 31.1
 35.4
 32.7
 37.0
 37.5


 Argyll and Bute 
 17.8
 25.4
 36.6
 37.7
 38.8


 Clackmannanshire
 38.7
 40.1
 43.6
 42.2
 44.9


 Dumfries and Galloway
 6.3
 11.1
 24.3
 31.4
 36.0


 Dundee
 27.6
 31.5
 30.0
 32.4
 34.7


 East Ayrshire
 19.0
 33.8
 37.2
 44.1
 44.2


 East Dunbartonshire
 16.7
 24.7
 30.8
 31.3
 32.0


 East Lothian 
 18.9
 29.3
 28.0
 32.5
 35.6


 East Renfrewshire
 29.3
 32.4
 33.4
 36.8
 40.5


 Edinburgh
 17.3
 22.1
 24.6
 27.6
 30.0


 Eilean Siar
 10.4
 12.7
 19.2
 23.1
 20.2


 Falkirk
 20.1
 30.9
 35.9
 33.8
 39.2


 Fife
 25.7
 32.2
 35.0
 41.7
 45.4


 Glasgow
 8.4
 12.3
 13.7
 15.1
 16.4


 Highland
 11.9
 24.6
 31.9
 37.3
 40.1


 Inverclyde 
 7.1
 21.7
 24.0
 24.9
 33.6


 Midlothian
 5.0
 23.1
 34.0
 38.2
 39.5


 Moray
 17.8
 28.7
 36.4
 41.0
 40.9


 North Ayrshire
 27.7
 30.4
 28.9
 34.7
 39.9


 North Lanarkshire
 14.4
 29.6
 31.4
 35.3
 42.2


 Orkney Islands
 18.3
 17.2
 20.8
 29.2
 38.9


 Perth and Kinross
 26.4
 34.7
 34.9
 37.0
 38.0


 Renfrewshire
 16.4
 25.3
 29.3
 31.2
 31.7


 Scottish Borders
 7.8
 17.8
 29.2
 36.5
 40.9


 Shetland Islands
 9.3
 9.6
 17.3
 19.2
 22.7


 South Ayrshire
 19.3
 33.5
 38.7
 45.2
 48.0


 South Lanarkshire
 27.3
 31.5
 31.0
 32.2
 35.8


 Stirling
 28.0
 34.6
 39.0
 42.4
 44.7


 West Dunbartonshire 
 11.5
 29.7
 37.7
 35.7
 33.8


 West Lothian
 17.5
 27.2
 37.1
 37.1
 43.3


 Scottish Average
 17.8
 25.5
 29.2
 32.6
 35.4



  Sources: SEPA Local Authority Waste Arisings Survey (LAWAS) 2004-05 to 2005-06 and WasteDataFlow 2006-07 to 2008-09.

  Table 2 – MSW - Total Recycling and Composting Rates (%)

  

 Local Authority
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Aberdeen
 13.7
 19.1
 21.5
 22.2
 23.4


 Aberdeenshire
 12.5
 16.3
 23.0
 31.2
 32.3


 Angus 
 29.0
 32.7
 30.2
 34.7
 35.8


 Argyll and Bute 
 18.1
 25.2
 33.2
 34.8
 36.3


 Clackmannanshire
 37.9
 40.1
 43.6
 42.2
 44.9


 Dumfries and Galloway
 5.7
 10.4
 23.2
 31.1
 36.3


 Dundee
 26.5
 30.9
 31.0
 33.0
 36.1


 East Ayrshire
 16.2
 32.6
 35.3
 41.8
 42.1


 East Dunbartonshire
 18.4
 26.3
 31.7
 32.2
 32.8


 East Lothian 
 19.7
 27.6
 32.6
 35.4
 38.4


 East Renfrewshire
 28.4
 30.2
 31.5
 35.0
 38.4


 Edinburgh
 15.9
 21.6
 24.4
 27.1
 30.1


 Eilean Siar
 8.6
 11.7
 17.0
 20.8
 18.6


 Falkirk
 19.1
 30.1
 35.0
 36.0
 40.8


 Fife
 25.1
 29.7
 32.5
 39.1
 43.0


 Glasgow
 8.8
 15.4
 16.8
 18.1
 19.9


 Highland
 9.0
 19.9
 26.1
 30.7
 32.7


 Inverclyde 
 6.8
 18.6
 20.1
 21.9
 28.0


 Midlothian
 4.7
 21.4
 31.8
 35.8
 37.4


 Moray
 27.3
 30.8
 38.4
 44.0
 43.9


 North Ayrshire
 23.9
 25.8
 25.8
 31.1
 35.7


 North Lanarkshire
 17.4
 28.1
 27.7
 31.8
 38.7


 Orkney Islands
 19.2
 22.7
 27.6
 28.7
 29.5


 Perth and Kinross
 26.3
 33.3
 34.0
 35.9
 37.6


 Renfrewshire
 15.0
 24.5
 28.2
 30.1
 30.5


 Scottish Borders
 7.8
 16.0
 28.3
 33.5
 36.0


 Shetland Islands
 9.6
 9.6
 17.3
 19.2
 22.7


 South Ayrshire
 21.0
 34.8
 39.3
 43.1
 41.3


 South Lanarkshire
 28.4
 33.3
 35.4
 37.0
 37.0


 Stirling
 28.9
 33.9
 35.7
 38.7
 41.5


 West Dunbartonshire 
 7.1
 19.0
 32.0
 32.4
 32.1


 West Lothian
 17.9
 27.0
 34.5
 34.2
 41.8


 Scottish Average
 17.5
 24.6
 28.4
 31.7
 34.3


Scotland recycling and composting targets
 -
 -
 25
 -
 30



  Sources: SEPA Local Authority Waste Arisings Survey (LAWAS) 2004-05 to 2005-06 and WasteDataFlow 2006-07 to 2008-09.

Revision

The reply to question S3W-26826 which was originally answered on 9 September 2009, has been Revised: see page 7359 or http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-09/wa0916.htm.